Staff Writer
A MAJOR diplomatic rift has erupted between the United States and South Africa, with President Donald Trump cutting off aid over the seizure of land from white farmers.
In astonishing remarks which have rattled not only the South African political establishment but also the entire continent, Trump announced he will halt all future US funding to South Africa, claiming—without evidence—that “certain classes of people” are being “treated very badly”.
He demanded a “full investigation” into the land “confiscations”.
Elon Musk, who was born in South Africa and is the world’s richest person, has waded into the emotive land issue. Commenting on Trump’s hard-hitting remarks, Musk wrote “True”. The billionaire is one of Trump’s most powerful advisers.
South Africa recently enacted an Expropriation Act, but the authorities have explained that it is not meant to facilitate outright land grabs.
The country is the most unequal society in the world, with a government audit showing that white farmers own 72% of all arable land, while blacks hold only 4%. The black majority has attained political liberation, but economic emancipation remains elusive.
Tensions have been rising between the US and South Africa, with some politicians in Washington demanding punitive measures against South Africa for suing Israel at the International Court of Justice in a case in which Pretoria accused the US ally of committing acts of genocide in Gaza. The US is also uncomfortable with South Africa’s prominent role in the BRICS alliance, a network which some hardliners in Washington view as an ideological, economic and political adversary of the US.
Legacy of apartheid…South Africa is the most unequal society on earth, with white farmers owning 72% of all arable land while the black majority holds only 4%.
In response to Trump’s latest bombshell, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a statement, emphasising that his government is not seizing land, but just implementing a “constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution”.
He hopes to reach a “common understanding” on the matter with Trump.
Under pressure…South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Picture credit: AP.
Ramaphosa says: “The recently adopted Expropriation Act is not a confiscation instrument, but a constitutionally mandated legal process that ensures public access to land in an equitable and just manner as guided by the constitution.
“South Africa, like the United States of America and other countries, has always had expropriation laws that balance the need for public usage of land and the protection of rights of property owners.
“We look forward to engaging with the Trump administration over our land reform policy and issues of bilateral interest. We are certain that out of those engagements, we will share a better and common understanding over these matters.”
The US sent US$440 million in aid to South Africa in 2023. But Ramaphosa, in his statement, makes it clear that South Africa US not dependent on US aid.
“The US remains a key strategic political and trade partner for South Africa. With the exception of PEPFAR Aid, which constitutes 17% of South Africa’s HIV/Aids programme, there is no other funding that is received by South Africa from the United States,” says Ramaphosa.
The widening rift between the US and South Africa is the latest showcase of Trump’s hawkish and unpredictable foreign policy. Canada, Mexico and China were left fuming at the weekend after Trump imposed what they have denounced as unfair trade tariffs. Europe in now bracing for a raft of painful measures from the Trump administration.
Geopolitical experts say these are testing times, not only for US adversaries but also for the superpower’s allies who feel aggrieved by the president’s capricious actions.
